The nation's child support program and enforcement of child support are being questioned by several stakeholders. Along with a lot of love and time, raising a child also requires money, making it extremely difficult for both custodial and noncustodial parents in the...
A Brighter Future Is Within Your Reach
Year: 2015
Complex finances: How valuable is free advice from friends?
Going through a divorce or the ending of a non-marital relationship is naturally a traumatic time for most people. Some Massachusetts people may experience it as a life crisis, and they find it difficult to keep emotions from taking over when important decisions have...
Massachusetts parents seek updated child custody laws
Different groups in about 20 states, including some in Massachusetts, are calling for updated child custody laws. Many believe that the current child custody laws have not kept up with modern family dynamics. Upon inspiration of a state working group, a new bill was...
Griner and Johnson — will it be same-sex divorce or annulment?
Massachusetts readers may be interested in a court battle in another state that may set a precedent in same-sex divorce cases. This case involves Glory Johnson and Brittney Griner, two women who would likely prefer to make headlines for their prowess as WNBA...
Unmarried fathers may successfully obtain child custody
Unmarried fathers in Massachusetts and other states have rights, but many find it difficult to have those rights recognized. An unmarried father in another state shared his struggle to be awarded custody of his child after the mother gave the child up for adoption. He...
How will the recent Supreme Court ruling affect same-sex spouses?
Although Massachusetts has been at the forefront of marriage equality for many years, the Supreme Court ruled on June 26 that all states must recognize the rights of same-sex couples to get married. Marriages that were performed in other states joining same-sex...
Many marriages may be saved with professional conflict resolution
Not all marriages fit in the happily-ever-after category. In many marriages, there are seemingly insignificant differences between spouses that may ultimately grow into contention and even cause couples to file for divorce. However, Massachusetts couples may find...
Legal assistance may be helpful when discussing alimony
Laws about spousal support or alimony differ from state to state, and after the Alimony Reform Act of 2011 was enacted in Massachusetts, divorcing couples may have questions about alimony and how it affects them. Under the reform act, alimony may form part of a...
Progress gives more equality to same-sex spouses
Massachusetts people who are part of the LGBT community have long been allowed to marry and divorce same-sex spouses. They are treated in the same manner as heterosexual couples when property is divided and in matters related to child custody. Now, even federal laws...
Alan Grayson claims joint child custody is not working
When high-profile couples decide to go their separate ways, it is not uncommon for breakups to be highly contentious. Massachusetts readers may be aware of the bitter fight involving the U.S. Representative Alan Grayson and his former wife. The couple agreed to an...